Patrick Calder and Jonathan Courtney, candidates in the Republican Party's Primary Election for the First Congressional District will participate in a debate prior to the June 12 Primary election.

Kevin Raye and Blaine Richardson, candidates in the Republican Party's Primary Election for the Second Congressional District participated in a debate prior to the June 12 Primary election.

57 minutes

Kennebec County Sheriff (and Iraq war vet) Randy Liberty and Roy Driver, who oversees the Vet Centers in Lewiston and Bangor joined in a discussion of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and specifically, innovative initiatives designed to help vets with PTSD, such as a new Veterans Court in Augusta and the expansion of mental health services at the VA in Togus. Also, Mariah Williams of Heartsong in Belfast, spoke about a cappella singing groups that provide joy and comfort for hospice patients through song.

State Senator, and former Maine Secretary of State, Bill Diamond has written a new book about Child Sexual Abuse, The Evil and the Innocent.  Elizabeth Ward Saxl, director of the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Violence and Captain Mark Waltz of the Brunswick Police Department joined him in the discussion. Plus, a visit to the Maine State Police Computer Crime Lab in Vassalboro.

For the first time, researchers from Mount Desert Biological Lab, Jackson Lab, Maine Med and MMC Research Center are working together on a major research project - identifying genetic markers for kidney disease. Dr. Ron Korstanje, Senior Research Scientist at Jackson Lab and Dr. Kevin Strange, Director of MDBLI discussed the research being done. We marked the tenth anniversary of Konbit Sante, the Maine-based medical partnership that does its work in Cap Haitien, Haiti. Our guest was Konbit Sante director Nate Nickerson.

Reporter Susan Kimball brought us up to speed on the ongoing battle against milfoil and other invasive aquatic plants. 23 lake systems in Maine are already infested. We'll look at the progress and setbacks in the fight to preserve our lakes and ponds with Jacolyn Bailey, who is a Doctoral Candidate in Milfoil Research at UMaine, and Dennis Spinney of the West Pond Association. Plus, we spoke with Deena Weinstein, an accomplished storyteller about the art of storytelling.

Two years ago, there appeared to be a spike in Maine's teen smoking numbers, and a lot of people were concerned. Now new numbers are out, and although better, it's clear that a lot of teenagers in Maine still smoke cigarettes. Why? And what needs to be done? We'll discuss this with Maine CDC Director Sheila Pinette and Ed Miller from the American Lung Association. And we'll meet Meg Weston, who just took over the reins at the Maine Media Workshops in Rockport.

It's an idea that's been discussed for years, building an east-west highway in Maine. The legislature has just approved funding to study the feasibility of a four lane private highway from Calais to Coburn Gore. Supporters say it would transform the economy of Northern and Eastern Maine. Others are concerned about environmental impacts. This week on Maine Watch, we'll discuss the idea with Cianbro CEO Peter Vigue, who has been a champion of the idea, and Barbara Charry of Maine Audubon.

A new plan to overhaul the state's teacher evaluation system got a unanimous endorsement from the legislature's education committee, but some believe it emphasizes the wrong things. Education commissioner Stephen Bowen and MEA president Chris Galgay discussed the plan. Also, author Linda Killian talked about her new book examining the role of independent voters called "The Swing Vote: The Untapped Power of Independents."

Mike Saxl, who is working with the Pew Foundation, and Dr. Timothy Oh, a dentist in Ellsworth, discussed a new kind of mid-level dental provider to Maine, often called a "dental therapist". There are already small programs in Alaska and Minnesota, and some people would like to see the idea come to Maine as a pilot program. Also, Lyle Merrifield of the Maine Maple Producer's Association discussed this year's maple sugar crop - as well as a new study on the potential for the maple sugar industry in Maine.

Some believe the wood pellet industry has great potential to boost Maine's economy and provide an important source of energy in the future. But surveys show most Mainers don't consider pellet heat a viable option. Visit a manufacturer, an installer, and a user of pellet heat and then hear a discussion of the broader issue among experts.

Maine's Secretary of State, Charlie Summers, is working to reform Maine's drivers education curriculum and teen driving laws in an attempt to cut down on serious accidents among teens. And, meet an organic farmer from Aroostook County who is leading a court battle against Monsanto over potential contamination by genetically-modified seeds.

Senator Olympia Snowe's decided to not seek reelection in 2012. Why did she make that decision now? Who might replace her? What does it mean for Maine politics? Also on this program, the next step towards creating charter schools in Maine.

The Maine CDC is reporting at least 16 outbreaks of norovirus this year, mainly at nursing homes and schools. State epidemiologst Dr. Stephen Sears discusses the norovirus and other health threats. Plus, a conversation about friendship and social media. Artist Tanja Alexia Hollander travelled the country taking portraits of all her Facebook friends. She has a new interactive art exhibit in Portland.

Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen has some big ideas about how to change Maine's schools and engage Maine students. Learn about his plan, which is a proficiency-based system that allows students to move through school at different speeds and with different goals.

Ocean Renewable Power Company plans to "break water" on Maine's first tidal generator in Cobscook Bay along the coast of eastern Maine. Also, learn about the Port of Eastport's new conveyer belt, designed to open the port to bulk commodities. Plus, a new effort to spay or neuter thousands of pets each year.

The debate over Maine's energy future continues. Governor LePage believes the free market will bring power costs down. But, a coalition of environmentalists and industry is pushing a renewable energy referendum. What's best for the state? Also, economic forecaster Charlie Colgan has delivered his annual economic forecast for the state. Find out why he is more pessimistic than last year.

The last time an Eastern cougar was shot and killed in Maine was 1938. Now, it has been declared extinct. Yet, hundreds of people believe they've seen them. Meet a couple of those people and U.S. Fish and Wildlife expert Mark McCollough. Plus, a pair of local filmmakers are making waves at international film festivals.

It's been 20 years since Maine overhauled its worker's compensation system, and some believe it's now time to change the system again. A bill to reform the worker's comp system in the Maine legislature. Find out why organized labor has voiced opposition to it.

A new legislative session is underway, and lawmakers have some major items on their plate: from MaineCare to LURC to Clean elections. Hear from both houses and both sides of the aisle.

There is a growing trend among high schools in Maine where international students from Asia, Europe, and the Middle East are recruited to come to the Pine Tree State and enroll in school. The full tuition paid by these students can help the bottom line and provide a broader experience for Maine kids, but experts say it's only a good idea if it's approached carefully and thoughtfully.

Despite the advent of e-books and online information, Maine communities both small and large are expanding their libraries, and find more people using them than ever before. Check out libraries in Augusta, Portland, and South Berwick to see how the public library in Maine is changing.

Hundreds of Maine people swarmed the State House in Augusta this week for public hearings on Governor LePage's proposed cuts to MaineCare. Maine Watch was there and broadcast a live discussion about what's at stake and whether the proposal will pass.

The number of people with eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia is higher now that ever before. In Maine, a new network of professional teams aimed at early intervention is getting off the ground. Plus, a new report looking at mercury contamination in Maine rivers was published. What are its implications?

Maine is facing a dramatic cut in federal funding for home heating assistance this winter, and local agencies are scrambling. Find what's being done to keep low-income Mainers warm this winter. Also, filmmakers are attempting a feature film based on the book "Lost on a Mountain in Maine," which is about the young Donn Fendler as he miraculously survived getting lost on Mount Katahdin.

LURC, the Land Use Regulation Commission, can be a lightning rod in rural Maine. During the past legislative session, Senate President Kevin Raye proposed a bill that would have abolished the commission. The bill failed, but instead, the legislature established a task force to come up with reforms. Plus, author Jim Witherell shares new insights about L.L. Bean...the man.